SNL Back, Forgot Funny Material

This weekend, SNL returned to television, and incidentally was the first new non-talk show to air since the ending of the writers' strike. All of America expected some pent up comedic material to shake us fans to our very core. And by 'shaken to the very core' I mean funny enough to cause us to piss ourselves. Unfortunately, all it compelled me to do was consider changing the channel to Rock of VD II or the Dog Whisperer.

The opening monologue had great energy because Tina Fey was the special guest star, and there was also a little cameo from SNL alum Steve Martin, which was refreshing. Unfortunately, there wasn't one really funny bit. Even the digital short was disappointing. Weekend News Update was entertaining, since ex-governor Mike Huckabee made a guest appearance, but overall, I wasn't impressed. 

Of course their opening bit was the much-anticipated political satire we expected -- especially considering that the Democratic nomination is neck and neck between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. (Apparently, they auditioned many actors for the Obama impersonation.) Portraying Clinton was a funny Amy Poehler and non-African-American actor, Fred Armisen, ended up taking the mostly non-speaking role of Obama. I chuckled a few times, but never really cracked up. That makes me sad. 

Now, if I were writing for SNL -- I'd have a bit called "Obama Keeping it Real." It would begin with Clinton and Obama standing side by side at a debate. When Clinton starts to get all shrill, Obama decides to "keep it real" ala Chapelle Show and just goes Samuel L. Jackson bat shit crazy on her. 

Maybe the writers need a few sugar free Redbulls, a smack with my heavy pimp hand and another weekend to recoop. Or maybe we just set our standards too high. 

Photos courtesy of AP/MSNBC